Guatemala City, Aug 18 (Prensa Latina) Thousands of people across Guatemala could face starvation due to a drop in food grain production this year, a report said.

Since May, the number of people under the high-risk category has increased 114 percent, a report released Monday by the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security said.

The most affected regions are El Progreso, Zacapa, Chiquimula, Jalapa and Jutiapa in eastern Guatemala.

Lack of rainfall and the spread of crop diseases have led to the decline in food production in the country, it said.

The Prensa Libre newspaper said there has been 60 and 80 percent drop in corn and beans harvests, respectively, this year.

The report said hike in food prices has threatened children with malnutrition.

The scanty rainfall in the country was due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, it said.